Electric co-op members send 500,000 comments to EPA

At the Menard Electric Cooperative annual meeting in June, Manager Lynn Frasco talks to a member about the need to send a message to the EPA to keep electric bills affordable. You can send your message to the EPA by going to www.action.coop today.

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO Jo Ann Emerson announced that rural electric cooperative members have submitted more than 500,000 comments to the Environmental Protection Agency in opposition to the proposed New Source Performance Standards rule regulating new power plants.

“More than 500,000 Americans have united to oppose ­regulations that will constrain fuel types for new power plants because they’re rightly concerned about ­affordable and reliable electricity in this ­country,” Emerson said. “Any ­proposal that relies on technology that is ­‘technically ­feasible’ instead of ­‘commercially viable’ belies common sense and threatens the reliability of electricity in this country. Electric co-ops operate in the real world and understand the importance of diversity for fuel sources when it comes to generating electricity.” NRECA sub­mitted its official comments on May 9.

Now the EPA is moving on to ­existing coal-fired plants and has ­proposed new ­regulations that could impact energy, the economy and jobs. President/CEO of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives Duane Noland says, “To combat the EPA’s aggressive new regulations on ­existing coal-fired power plants, we’re asking co-op members to join together and tell Washington not to impose these regulations and to keep energy costs low for hard-­working consumers and their families. We’re asking you, your friends and neighbors to add your voice by signing one of the comment cards available in local co-op offices or by ­visiting www.Action.coop.